00:00Task Force 66 is Sixth Fleet's newest task force, stood up in 2024.
00:05It takes charge of all of the unmanned surface vessels assigned to Sixth Fleet,
00:09includes up to 22 platforms, and we use Portugal as our test and evaluation playground
00:16to try out new technology, tactics, techniques, and procedures.
00:22Well, out here, as you know, the Ukraine conflict has shown us
00:26that the future and changing character of war requires fast adaptation.
00:30We're able to use SIOM, or the range out here in Portugal,
00:35to refine our tactics, techniques, and procedures with other allies and partners
00:39that are in this fight with us together.
00:41Because we have access to the water, we're able to be in a real-world environment,
00:46not just a test lab, where we can really refine those tactics, techniques, and procedures
00:51and get better and better every day.
00:53Portugal is a key partner and ally.
00:57One, they're part of NATO, which is increasingly important when we are considering how we defend Europe.
01:03Under burden-sharing and burden-shifting, it is exciting to see partners like Portugal
01:09step up and invest in the future of warfare like unmanned systems.
01:14And we are there to encourage them and to share with some of our technology and our ideas.
01:20And equally so, their industry has made great strides in this unmanned surface vessel area,
01:27and we are learning from them just as much.
01:29So it is a great union and partnership with a key ally.
01:33Sure. So, very exciting.
01:35They have some underwater vehicles that can scan the seabed floor and provide 3D renderings,
01:42which is very novel and very advanced.
01:45We have similar systems in the US side, but these are pretty advanced out here.
01:50And I would also say their navigation systems are pretty advanced.
01:56And the ability to share information and have boats operate in swarms is very interesting,
02:02and the Portuguese are at the cutting edge of some of that technology.
02:08This SEAM in particular, Portuguese in particular, have welcomed us with open arms.
02:14Every sailor that comes out here finds it very rewarding and very easy to work with our Portuguese hosts.
02:21The base itself has great infrastructure for vessels, from cranes to forklifts to just being able to store things.
02:30They have made it very easy and pretty rewarding for sailors that are out here in the fight.
02:43We just love to have you, that's what I'm trying to say.
02:46If you can get out of here and someone lets you out, we'd love to have you.
02:48I don't know if you've not been there, we'd love to have to do tours.
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